If you want to use your machine in a wireless network you must configure the machine to match the settings of the existing wireless network. This section provides some of the main terms and concepts of these settings, which may be helpful when you configure your machine for a wireless network.
SSID (Service Set Identifier) and channels
You need to configure the SSID and a channel to specify the wireless network you want to connect to.
| • | Each wireless network has its own unique network name and it is technically referred to as SSID or ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier). The SSID is a 32-byte or less value and is assigned to the access point. The wireless network devices you want to associate to the wireless network should match the access point. The access point and wireless network devices regularly send wireless packets (referred to as a beacon) which has the SSID information. When your wireless network device receives a beacon, you can identify the wireless network that is close enough for the radio waves to reach your device. |
| • | Wireless networks use channels. Each wireless channel is on a different frequency. There are up to 14 different channels that can be used when using a wireless network. However, in many countries the number of channels available are restricted. (For more information, see Wireless network .) |
